Now, I have plenty of Christmas-related childhood memories, as it was always such a magical and special time at our house. My grand-grandma would come spend Christmas with us, and she would bring chocolate and pineapple with her.. Now, I know what you're thinking... what's so special about a pineapple? Well, you should know that I grew up in a post-communist Poland, and getting a pineapple at that time (or any other kind of fruit, really) was a HUGE and borderline impossible thing.

When my grand-grandma would bring that *holy* pineapple with her, we would put it up on the shelf in the living room about a week before Christmas, and it would stay there until the Christmas Day, when it would finally be consumed. Hahah, it sounds so silly when I think about it now, but it was really quite a special thing for all of us. Can you imagine? Waiting the entire year just to get a taste of that juicy (not-really!), magical (bah!) pineapple!? Now that I think about it.. I don't even like pineapples all that much!

My mom, grandma & I. I think I was about 6 months old here :)

But the memory that is the most vivid in my memory is.. being chased by our ginormous Christmas Tree :) Yup, you got that right!

See, during Christmas time - after we'd decorate the Christmas Tree (and that would happen about a week before Christmas Day) - I would make it my mission to get up as early as possible to steal some candies from our beautiful Christmas Tree. I would sneak up to the tree and try to grab at least one chocolate piece... at least one candy cane... And yes, I felt like some sort of Christmas Tree Ninja!

At least until my brilliantly sneaky (or so I thought) plan backfired on me :) That day, my mom decided to get up early, too, and she sneaked up on me trying to reach a chocolate piece that was hanging just out of my reach. I was stretching, trying hard to grab that piece of chocolate and just when I touched it, she entered the room, scaring the living soul out of me. That caused me to lose my balance and pull on the chocolate a bit too hard... Next thing I know the Christmas Tree is chasing me - threatening to fall right on top of me! I was fast enough to move out of the way of the poor, falling tree (barely!), but all the beautiful glass ornaments that my parents and grandparents were collecting for years got smashed to pieces.

Now, when we think back to that day, we all laugh, but trust me when I say, at that time my family was not very happy with my 5-year-old-Ninja-self. If the presents for me haven't already been bought, wrapped and placed under the tree, I doubt I'd get anything from Santa that year! :)

On the left: Santa Party at my Elementary School (if you're thinking that Santa looks creepy, you're damn right!).
On the right: Me getting ready to play in the snow!

Now, for the fun part...

Giveaway:

What's your earliest memory of Christmas?!
Leave a comment sharing your Christmas memory with me, and enter to WIN a book of choice from Book Depository or $15 Paypal Cash - your choice!a Rafflecopter giveaway

And be sure to check out the Christmas Spectacular Blog Hop! It's so much fun!

I'm not entirely sure that it's the earliest, but I remember something about opening a present, getting a doll that could walk. She wore a pink dress and had VERY blonde hair. I didn't really like dolls, but I liked her.

Those really great memories (except about the ornament breaking). I really like your pineapple story with your grandmother. :)

I don't really have a lot of early happy memories (I always remember the bad ones more then the happy ones) but the earliest Christmas memories is one year my uncles girlfriend at the time and her son spent the Christmas with my family and my grandmother and grandfather. I was so happy because my uncles girlfriend got me a Barbie with a camping tent and other Barbie camping gear. Of course I played with her by the fire and I almost caught the Barbie tent on fire and if I remember right, I left the Barbie too close to the fire and I left her there while we ate and half her face melted. She looked like Aaron Eckhart in The Dark Knight.

Thanks for the giveaway! My favorite Christmas memory was getting this American Girl doll. All my friends and cousins had one so I felt like I was special and we had many memories and parties with those dolls later on; it was a big part of my childhood. <3-Cali W.

You're so cute. I can just picture little Evie going for a chocolate and it failing miserably. Glad you guys can laugh about it now!

I don't know if it's my earliest, but my favorite memory is also a family tradition. My parents always make us wait at the top of the stairs to make sure Santa showed up, make their coffee, and breakfast. The three of us would sit at the top of the stairs and be so obnoxious that they would let us come down - not that they ever did. We even tried throwing our stuffed animals to the bottom of the stairs. Didn't work.

Even to this day, when we get to my parents' house, we have to avert our eyes from the tree and walk right up those stairs and sit and wait for the okay to come down. My sister has even pulled my boyfriend into the tradition. I cannot wait to do it with my own kids one day.

I can't remember earlier Christmases. Sadly. Although there is one thing I do remember, my dad putting that Christmas with The Chipmunks cd on when we were opening presents. Maybe I should buy that album and it will bring back memories. Thank you for the giveaway. Happy Holidays!

I remember one Christmas when I really young, my great-grandma gave me this beautiful glass piggy bank that I was absolutely IN LOVE with. And while we were all eating Christmas dinner, my cousin snuck out of the room and (for reasons unbeknownst to me--he was kind of a brat as a kid) threw my piggy bank against the wall, shattering it. I was totally distraught!

Hi there! I'm Evie! I'm a 20-something year old wife and mom to a beautiful baby-girl, Victoria. I am an avid reader, graphic designer and craft-loving, Supernatural and The Walking Dead obsessed coffee-lover. I love writing about my family, sharing honest opinions about products and services, and socializing with other moms and readers (or reader moms!).

I am the founder and owner (currently co-owner) of a largely successful book blog, Bookish.